Iga Ninja Museum (Iga-ryu Ninja Museum)

The Iga Ninja Museum (伊賀流忍者博物館) offers a hands-on journey into the fascinating world of Japan’s legendary covert warriors. Located in the historic heartland of the Iga School of ninjutsu—one of Japan’s most influential ninja traditions—the museum invites visitors to explore how real ninjas once lived, trained, and operated. A major highlight is the authentic ninja residence, which appears as a modest farmhouse from the outside but hides a range of secret features. Guided tours reveal concealed trapdoors, hidden staircases, revolving walls, and escape routes—all ingeniously crafted for stealth and survival. Knowledgeable guides demonstrate how each feature worked, offering both excitement and insight into ninja ingenuity.

Beyond the house, the museum showcases an impressive collection of original ninja weapons, tools, scrolls, and garments. Interactive exhibits explain techniques ranging from infiltration and camouflage to psychological tactics and unconventional timekeeping—such as estimating time by observing a cat’s pupils. Visitors can dress up in ninja costumes, take souvenir photos, and immerse themselves in historically accurate displays. The highlight for many is the live ninja show, held in an outdoor theater. Performers in traditional gear demonstrate real shinobi techniques, including shuriken (throwing star) skills, silent movement, and agile acrobatics. Although presented in Japanese, the show’s high-energy visuals and combat demonstrations are captivating for all audiences.